Frank then asked, "Now tell me, what's that geomancer like?"Matteo shook his head. "Just hear me out on this one, bro. Don't mess with him if you can."Frank did not agree. "Those people who give that look always end up being pushovers. And if I end up dead, isn't that good news for you?"Matteo thought about it but decided that Frank was right. Why should he stop the man from being suicidal?"He called himself Hal Prana, hailing from Jade Cauldron School, a fraternity of sages!""Where is he now?""I met him at Moaning Club. Word is that he had a booth seat reserved for him permanently—you'd definitely find him there.""Got it." Frank nodded and turned to leave.Matteo was at once surprised and delighted. "Y-You're not going to kill me?"He really thought he was a dead man and only told Frank what he knew so that Hal would kill Frank for him… only for Frank to prove himself a saint.Nonetheless, Frank smirked. "Killing you would only dirty my hands. Someone else would do it
The manager smiled in wry amusement. "That's why I'm the manager and you're the bouncer! Those three clearly are no average Joes, and they can afford the bare minimum! Hell, just watch—they'd spend enough to cover this month's expenses!"The bouncers nodded, not quite understanding.Meanwhile, Frank, Jada, and Moxxi took the most expensive seats, with Jada and Moxxi flanking Frank.They were hugging his arms, flirting like mistresses while their hands reached elsewhere.Still, it was not as if they were taking advantage of him. Frank was the one who said they should act the part when they came, so that Hal would not notice anything out of place.A waiter approached them, asking, "Can I take your order?""Domaine de la Romanee-Conti!" Moxxi promptly said.The waiter smiled in wry amusement. "I'm sorry, we don't have anything that expensive."Moxxi frowned and snorted. "What about champagne? A Dom Perignon P3?"The waiter shook his head."A P2, then?""We don't have that eithe
Moxxi finally calmed down at that and made a call.Soon, the chauffeur entered with six bottles of Dom Perignon P3 and two bottles of Romanee-Conti.The manager had heard that those were the best champagnes and red wine, and anything else paled in comparison. Still, it was the first time he had seen those, and he was certainly shocked by Frank, Jada, and Moxxi's extravagance.Thank goodness that he had good judgment and quickly saw that those three had more money to spend than the rest.And he was not about to let them slip!Moxxi then said, "I'm not good with numbers, so just give a number. I'd never refuse!"The manager was certainly aware that Frank, Jada and Moxxi did not lack money, but he was not about to con them either. That's just not how one should operate a business—he should instead suck up to them properly for a steady income. Why kill a golden goose?"How about five grand and your friendship?"Moxxi chuckled. "You're not worried about taking the loss?"A Dom Pe
Jada laughed. "You don't get it, huh? Men don't like girls who are too liberal or too conservative. They like them conservative but liberal!""What's that supposed to mean?" Moxxi asked in confusion."Go wrap your head around it!"Moxxi rolled her eyes and turned to Frank. "What's gotten into you, Mr. Frankton?"It turned out that it was not just the crowd—Moxxi was left bemused to see that Frank was taken by the girl's charm too.Still, Frank simply chuckled. "I recognize her from when I went to that cafe to meet Elizabeth's contact. Do you recall, Jada?"Jada smiled. "Of course!"Moxxi realized with a start—so that was why Frank was reacting like that. And here she thought that Frank was no different from the rest!Still, Jada was bemused. "She said that she's a student and came to town traveling. What is she doing here?""What else could she be doing?" Moxxi snorted. "She must be a backpacker who has run out of money. I mean, just look at that getup!"Just as Moxxi finishe
The manager tried to pacify the situation. "Please, sir—there are people watching. Let's all step back for a moment, alright?""No." Dragon Tattoo snorted, clearly determined to make a fuss.The manager scowled in turn. "I tried. You can't blame me now!"He then beckoned, and several bouncers who were already waiting for a while appeared. "Time to go, sir!""I refuse. What are you going to do about it?" Dragon Tattoo retorted, undaunted.However, the onlookers were left laughing—he was really too much. Did he think himself some sort of superhuman, taking on so many men at once?The manager smiled. "In that case, don't blame me for this."As he finished, he beckoned for the bouncers to attack, when the unexpected happened—all the bouncers were floored in an instant!Moxxi and Jada were on their feet, but Frank stopped them.At the same time, Dragon Tattoo bellowed at the manager pompously, "Start begging!"Demi leapt off the stage just then, snapping into her microphone, "This
That was when Demi spotted a familiar face at Frank's table—Jada!Realizing with a start, she quickly said, "Manager, bring me a couple of bottles!""I thought you didn't drink," the manager said. "The boss would fire me if he finds out!""It's just a couple of bottles, and we should repay them for saving us."The manager nodded and beckoned for a waiter to get the liquor, while he took the microphone and announced, "Apologies for the little distraction, everyone! Each table will get a fruit plate on the house—now, let's continue the music!"It was not their fight anyway, so they quickly turned away and continued dancing.Meanwhile, Demi headed to Frank's table with the liquor, pouring herself a full glass and toasting them. "Thanks for the assist!"Jada was bemused. "I thought you didn't drink?""Depends on the situation." Demi giggled. "You've all saved me, so I naturally have to bend a few rules."And with that, everyone around the table raised their glasses and drank witho
Even before the manager could answer, Hal strode straight toward Frank!Sensing the change in atmosphere, Frank turned to find himself staring into Hal's eyes, and Hal grinned. "You're quite the fighter kid. Let me guess… Ascendant rank?"Frank shrugged. "Perhaps!"Demi, Jada, and Moxxi all turned when they heard Hal and were smiling calmly as Hal did not appear all that intimidating. Moxxi even nipped, "Know your place and leave, tramp, or we'll make you!"Hal was at once amused. "Such pretty ladies! But I'm not one for violence against women, so if you're willing to change your ways, I don't mind taking you into my harem."Naturally, the condition is that you must be good, or I'll sell you off as slaves!"His words only sent both Jada and Moxxi flying into a rage, but while both were ready to show him, Frank held them back."What's your name, geezer?" Frank asked."I'm going to give it to you straight—I'm Hal Prana in the flesh!""You're Hal Prana?!" Demi was shocked, havi
"How does it feel to go down so quickly after being invincible for so long?"Before Hal could respond, Moxxi held out her hand at Frank, who rolled his eyes but unbuckled his belt and handed it to her.And once Moxxi got the belt, she did not hesitate to start whipping Hal on the spot!Hal was yelping in pain right then, quickly drawing everyone's attention!"Shit, what's happening? They all say that Hal Prana is unbeatable, but he's being whipped by a woman!""There's always someone better, I guess. Word is that he's been up to no good, and now, karma strikes!""He deserved it!"Even as the crowd laughed, Hal continued to flinch in agony and even tried to fight back.Moxxi quickly beat him again, however, leaving him pondering the meaning of his life."That's enough!" Frank stopped Moxxi just before she knocked out Hal. "Let's take a walk, Mr. Prana."-Half an hour later, Hal was taken to Frank's office, now a lot less pompous than before.His eyes were wide open in fear,